The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1887-12-03
cus1eR's COUNTY SEAT.
Challis and its 0pportunitiesto Become
q Thriving Town.

Challis and its Opportunities to Become
Thriving Town.
Challis, the seat of government
of Custer county, is pleasantly
located little town, built upon the
banks of Garden creek, and lying
beneath the shadows Of the Salmon
river range of hills that form the
northern wall of Round valley.
Located in 1879, the town rapidly
grew to some pretensions, being an
important point upon the road dur
ing the rush and scramble Incident
to the Yankee Fork mining excite
ment and the discoveries made at
Bayhorse district. But Challis had
its boom and reaction set in. 1t is
now growing up upon its own mer-
its rather than a dependent upon
the caprice of any mining district
or excitement. Challis is fair
representative of a quiet valley
town, and derives its main support
from the development of agricul-
tural pursuits and the business of
stock raising. 1t still continues to
be considerable of an Quitting
point for miners and prospectors,
and during the winter months a
haven of rest to many of the same
class seeking a refuge from the
chilling blasts and furious storms
of snow predominating during the
winter seasons in the surrounding
hill and mountains. During the
past two years considerable atten-
ton has been directed toward
THE RAISING OF FRUITS,
Apples and others of the more hardy
varieties thriving well. This new
industry bids fair to become one OF
importance, the ventures Of those
already experimenting in this di-
rection being so successful as to
induce many others to follow the
example. The climate in the vi
cinity of Challis is admirably suited
for fruit raising. and the only won
der is that it was not entered into
years ago. and acres of fine orch
ards now in full bearing, where the
pillow has not as yet disturbed the
virgin soil. The winters are COM
paratively of short duration, the
snow fall light, and an entire alb
sence of the cold bleak winds OF
higher attitudes conspicuous. A
number of handsome private resi-,
dences are observable in Challis.
and during the present fall quite a
building boom has been experien'
ced. the houses newly built or un-
der course of construction being OF
substantial build and a credit to
the enterprise of the owners. One
of the features of Challis is the
excellent hotel, the Challis House
over which Hon. James Burns, who
has been Probate Judge of Custer
county since its organization, pre-
sides. One hardly expects the &C
commodation he meets here, bu'
the progressive spirit of the pro
prietor has given to the town a ho
tel that the residents can well poin
: to with pride. The building is sur
, rounded with every Safeguard
against
. THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE,
> And within its spacious walls, il
addition to the hotel, is found tn
office of the Probate Judge. the dis
trict court room and an orderly ant
we'll kept bar room, over which
Charley Jordan, one Of the old res
identers of Idaho City, preside
with a dignity that gives to tn
place a reputation we'll merited
The mercantile wants of Challi
!, are supplied by the mammoth stor
!, of R. N. Hull & Co., the successor
to George L. Shoup, and the hous
, does a thriving trade not only il
meeting the demands of home con
sumption but in supplying tn
wants of ranchcrs, miners, pros
pectors and others within a radiu
of fifty miles. Challis is lookin
n hopefully in the future for a raj
road. It may be years before tn
hope is realized. but sooner or late
q the snort of the iron horse Wi
i sound resonant through the hill:
= and the more primitive modes {
. travel forever done away with
$ When such day arrives Challis wi
assume a position of considerable
!, importance, as it cannot fail to b.
4 come distributing point for a wild
], scope of tributary country. Blu
g while in a measure anxiousl
= looked forward to, Challis is nc
. !, leisurely waiting for the railroad t
!" come before doing anything. Sign
of prosperity are evident on a
sides. and it requires but unite
action and the infusion of a httl
J. more enterprise to make Custer
q county seat thriving town ind
d pendent of everything beyond II
" legitimate resources.
c. Firemsn's Annual Ball
9 On the night of December IA, or
'e week from next Wednesday, tn
g members of the Ketchum fire d
'e nortment nropose giving the annu;